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Monday, January 14, 2019

We are the Generation who will see the Return of Jesus!

In Isaiah 46:9-10, God says that He declares the end from the beginning. In other words, way back in Genesis, God was already speaking of the sacrifice of His Son and the end of the age. Much of the Old Testament is a type and shadow of the New and even of our present age.The Old Testament mirrors the New Testament. What do I mean by that? Much of what the New Testament speaks of has already been shown, prophesied, or told through Scriptures in the Old. A few obvious examples are the Exodus from Egypt of the Jews and the blood of the Passover lamb spread upon their doors to protect them. This symbolizes the shed blood of Jesus protecting those of us who trust in Him, and the subsequent Exodus is our redemption from slavery to sin, being baptized in the Red Sea and entering our walk with the Lord through the wilderness of life.

I could go on, but that is not the focus of this post. I want to focus specifically on our present time and how, by studying Scripture, we can come to the conclusion that we are VERY near the end. (Within a few years) God is a God of numbers. Everything in the Bible, including all the numbers that we merely scan over, are there for a reason. Every event, every feast, every birth, calling, death of someone in the Bible has significance regarding prophesy. I have a feeling we have only begun to explore the incredible depths and wisdom of the Holy Book!

For example.. here's a very interesting nugget.

From Adam to Abraham (patriarch of the Jews) there were 1948 yearsFrom the Second Adam (Jesus) to the birth of Israel there were 1948 years

Coincidence? I found that completely fascinating! What are the odds? Isn't our God amazing? However, for the rest of this post, I want to focus on one of God's favorite numbers 70

7 = perfection, 10 - completeness. The number 70 symbolizes Spiritual order carried out in power and period of judgement.

Occurrences of 70 in Scripture

Seventy (70) elders were appointed by Moses (Numbers 11:16).

Ancient Israel spent a total number of 70 years in captivity in Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11-12)

Seventy sevens (490 years) were determined upon Jerusalem for it to complete its transgressions, to make an end for sins and for everlasting righteousness to enter into it (Daniel 9:24).

A total of 70 Israelites started a nation WITHIN another nation that would grow to more than two million by the Exodus.

Terah had his first male child, Abraham, at age 70

Seventy elders (not counting the High Priest) composed Israel's great Tribunal (Exodus 24:1, Numbers 11:16) which was eventually called the Sanhedrin.

Tyre, a very important seaport city was judged by God for (you guessed it!) 70 years! (Isaiah 23:15)

Seventy disciples were sent out by Christ on a 'training mission' to preach the gospel to the surrounding area (Luke 10).

The Bible records Jesus Christ giving at least 70 parables during his ministry.

Why do we care about all these 70s? Well, for one thing because God cares about all these 70s. Let me give you one more Extremely important 70 that isn't listed in Scripture indirectly.

In Matthew 23, Jesus is verbally chastising the Pharisees and Scribes of His Day. He doesn't hold back and I love it, actually. But here's what He says at the end.

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Matthew 23:35-38

In this passage, Jesus is clearing saying that the punishment for all the crimes these self-righteous Pharisees have committed throughout history and at that present time is going to come on "This" generation. What generation? The generation in which they were living at that time. What would part of that punishment be? Their "house" would be left to them desolate. What is their "house"? Why it's the great Temple of Herod that stood in the middle of Jerusalem! When did the Temple get destroyed? Wait for it.... 70 AD! Hmm. there's another 70. How odd!

Here's another generation prophesy of our Lord in the very next chapter of Matthew! Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

In context, the verses before this describe the end times and the tribulation right up to the point of His Second Coming. After these verses, He describes in detail the Rapture. What is the "all these things" Jesus telling us to look out for so we know we are the last generation? All the signs he just told us about AND the rebirth of the Nation of Israel! (Israel is the fig tree!)

What is a period of judgement in the Bible? How long does God give a nation to repent? 70 years!

So, if Israel came back into their land in 1948, then 2018 was 70 years. Actually, they celebrated their 70th Birthday in May 2018, so we are still within the 70 Years since Israel's rebirth.

A couple of very interesting things happened in 2018 in relation to this.

Embassy moved to Jerusalem! This is the first time in 70 years that Jerusalem has been acknowledged as the capital of Israel. This is HUGE! If you think it's no big deal, read the Bible. Jerusalem is mentioned 767 times! Jerusalem is the City of the King. It is where Jesus will rule and reign from in the Millennial Kingdom. The Fact that Jerusalem is now recognized as the capital of Israel says to me that God is about to turn His attention back to Israel and finish His dealings with them in the final 7 years of this Age. Otherwise known as the Tribulation.

Another HUGE event happened on December 10th 2018. This was the last day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, also known as the feast of dedication. Guess what? Israel rebuilt the ancient temple altar and dedicated it to God. Why is this important? Again we go to the Old Testament for answers. Ezra was one of the prophets who returned from Babylon after their 70 year captivity came to a close. What was one of the first tasks he preformed once he arrived in Israel? He built and dedicated an altar to God. Even before they had a temple! See Ezra 3

We know the religious Jews are longing to see the Temple rebuilt. I've mentioned it numerous times here on this blog. This altar being dedicated is a sure sign they will start on the Temple soon. We know from Scripture that a temple must exist for the Antichrist to enter at the midpoint of the Tribulation and claim to be god.

People, hear me. We are close! That's not me saying it. It's the Bible! Read for yourself. Ask for God's discernment. Why aren't most pastors and churches telling you all this? Why are most Christians completely asleep? It blows my mind. I leave you with one last reference to what a generation is

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,Or if due to strength, eighty years,Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;For soon it is gone and we fly away. Psalm 90:10

Fly Away is Strongs H5774 which means fly, flee, fly away, faint, brandish, or shine forth. Why did the psalmist use that word when he could have just said died.. or go down to shoal as he usually does? Average world wide lifespan currently is 73. In the United States, it is 78.7. Do you think God didn't know what a generation would be in our day?

My point is that if we are the generation that will see the return of Jesus, and that generation started in 1948, then at the most we only have until 2028 to fulfill 80 years. Remember 7 of those are the tribulation and if you believe in a pre-tribulation rapture then that only gives us at the most 3 more years. I am not giving a date. I'm merely a student of the Word of God who has the Holy Spirit living within me.

Why is this important? Why care about when the rapture may occur? Because when you realize that this life here on earth is short and just a vapor, then you focus more on the eternal things which are vastly more important. You get closer to God, you grow in your faith, you love others and do the work God has called you to do! You don't entangle yourself in the things of this temporary world. I want believers to wake up! If all the people who claim to be Christians started living for God, we could save SO MANY before we leave this place!

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8